Dexrazoxane (Generic Name)

Zinecard® (Other Name)

About This Drug

Dexrazoxane is used to protect your heart when you receive the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin. Dexrazoxane is given intravenously (IV).

Possible Side Effects (Most Common)

  • This drug may add to the bone marrow depression caused by chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin. Bone marrow depression is a decrease in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Bone marrow depression usually occurs about two weeks after this drug is given and may increase your risk of infection, fatigue, and bleeding.
  • Mild pain when injected
  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Changes in your liver function. Your doctor will monitor your liver function as needed.
  • Swelling of hands, legs, and feet
  • Tiredness
  • Headaches

Reproductive Concerns

  • Pregnancy warning: This drug may have harmful effects on the unborn child, so effective methods of birth control should be used during your cancer treatment.
  • Genetic counseling is available to you to discuss the effects of this drug therapy on future pregnancies. In addition, a genetic counselor can review the potential risks of problems in the fetus due to this medication if an exposure during pregnancy has occurred.
  • Breast feeding warning: It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. For this reason, women are advised to discuss with their doctor the risks and benefits of breast feeding during treatment with this drug because this drug may enter the breast milk and seriously harm a breast feeding infant.

Treating Side Effects

  • Ask your doctor for medication to prevent or lessen nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches.
  • If you are dizzy, rise slowly and gradually after sitting or lying.
  • Drink 6-8 cups of fluids every day unless your doctor has told you to restrict your fluid intake due to another medical condition. A cup is 8 ounces of fluid. If you vomit or have diarrhea, you should drink more fluids so that you do not become dehydrated.

Food and Drug Interactions

There are no known interactions of dexrazoxane with food. This drug may interact with other medication. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medication and dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbs and others) that you are currently taking. The safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements and alternative diets are often unknown. Using these might unexpectedly affect your cancer or interfere with your treatment. Until more is known, you should not use dietary supplements or alternative diets without your cancer doctor's advice

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor or nurse immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Temperature of 100.5 F (38 C) or above
  • Chills
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Diarrhea 4 or more times a day or diarrhea with weakness or lightheadedness
  • Vomiting more than 3 times a day

Notify your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you have the following symptom:

  • Extreme tiredness that interferes with normal activities
  • Swelling of legs, ankles, or feet

Revised January 2013

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